Tricotillomania

Most Recommended OTC Supplement: N-Acetylcysteine
Try the product by Vital Nutrients: NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) 600 mg Supplement which is available at a very good price from Amazon. Click here to buy it directly from Amazon.
N-acetyl cysteine comes from the amino acid L-cysteine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. N-acetyl cysteine has many uses as medicine. N-acetyl cysteine is used to counteract acetaminophen (Tylenol) and carbon monoxide poisoning. It is also used for chest pain (unstable angina), bile duct blockage in infants, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease), Alzheimer’s disease, allergic reactions to the anti-seizure drug phenytoin (Dilantin), and an eye infection called keratoconjunctivitis. It is also used for reducing levels of a type of cholesterol called lipoprotein (a), homocysteine levels (a possible risk factor for heart disease) and the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with serious kidney disease. Recommended daily: 1200-2400 mg. This over-the-counter product may be useful as a supplement to cognitive behavioral therapy to help reduce symptoms of tricotillomania (picking at one's facial hair, for example). To make an appointment for cognitive behavioral therapy with Dr. Z click here.

Sleep and Attention Deficit

Most Recommended OTC Supplement: 5-HTP
Try the product by Thorne Research: 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) Supplement which is available at a very good price from Amazon. Click here to buy it directly from Amazon.
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a chemical by-product of the protein building block L-tryptophan. It is also produced commercially from the seeds of an African plant known as Griffonia simplicifolia 5-HTP is used for sleep disorders such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, migraine and tension-type headaches, fibromyalgia, obesity, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), seizure disorder, and Parkinson's disease. Since 5-HTP increases the synthesis of serotonin, it is used for several diseases where serotonin is believed to play an important role including depression, insomnia, obesity, and many other conditions. Recommended daily: 300-600 mg. This over-the-counter product may be useful as a supplement to cognitive behavioral therapy to help reduce depression symptoms. To make an appointment for cognitive behavioral therapy with Dr. Z click here.

OCD and Depression

Most Recommended OTC Supplement: St. John's Wort
Try the product by Pure Encapsulations: St. John's Wort Supplement which is available at a very good price from Amazon. Click here to buy it directly from Amazon.
St. John’s wort is a plant with yellow flowers that has been used in traditional European medicine as far back as the ancient Greeks. The name St. John’s wort apparently refers to John the Baptist, as the plant blooms around the time of the feast of St. John the Baptist in late June. Historically, St. John’s wort has been used for a variety of conditions, including kidney and lung ailments, insomnia, and depression, and to aid wound healing. Currently, St. John’s wort is most often used as a dietary supplement for depression. People also use it as a dietary supplement for other conditions, including menopausal symptoms, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is used topically for wound healing. Recommended daily: 600-1800 mg. Caution: not everyone responds well to this supplement; discontinue if you notice unwanted side effects. This over-the-counter product may be useful as a supplement to cognitive behavioral therapy to help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. To make an appointment for cognitive behavioral therapy with Dr. Z click here.

Note

To the best of our knowledge recommended doses and side effects listed here are accurate. However, this is meant as a general reference only, and should not serve as a prescription. Please note that the foregoing statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Please check the manufacturer’s product information for any changes in dosage schedule or contraindications. (Brand names are registered trademarks.)

Statement from the Federal Trade Commission on Dietary Supplements (Produced in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration): Dietary supplements may seem like harmless health boosters. But while some have proven benefits, many don't. Unlike drugs, dietary supplements aren't evaluated or reviewed by FDA for safety and effectiveness, and even "natural" supplements can be risky depending on the medicines you take or the medical conditions you have. In recent years, hundreds of supplements also have been found to be tainted with drugs and other chemicals. Always talk to your doctor before you take a new supplement, and avoid any supplement claiming it's a "cure."